“It is another step forward for our new program,” counters Rockland coach Dave Taylor. “It should be a great game.”

Both coaches have known each other for quite some time.

Djusberg and Taykir having played and coached with and against each other for the better part of two decades.

You could call them frenemies.

You could say the same about the players for both teams.

They played against or with each other in various youth shorts leagues since they first walked on to a playing field.

These athletes are playing for more than just a victory; it is also for bragging rights.

Although Abington has fielded a varsity lacrosse squad for a number of seasons and therefore should possess somewhat of an experienced edge in this initial rivalry encounter both squads enter the contest with similar records and similar issues.

According to Djusberg, the Green Wave (1-6) has been starting “about a half dozen freshman.”

Steve Manning has led the Waves offensive attack.

Freshman Justin Richards has impressed with his quickness and ability to put the ball in between the pipes.

“We are green particularly on the defensive end,” said the Green Wave coach.

Ray Emery has been the sole defender with experience. Abington has surrendered nearly 15 goals per game through the first eight games of the 2014 season.

“It’s on the job training for our young guys,” noted Djusberg.

“Our goalie, sophomore Owen Kearney, has done a great job in the cage. He has faced a bunch of shots which is not an easy task and has dealt with that quite well.”

On the other side, Rockland Coach Dave Taylor is working hard with a squad rich with athleticism but short on lacrosse skill and on-field lacrosse IQ.

Rockland (1-7) has had to play without their two leading scorers from last year’s club team, Joey Reardon and Timmy Baggett.

Both Reardon (football) and Baggett (hockey) have been sidelined due to injury and their loss will leave a huge hole in Taylor’s offensive unit.

“Both Reardon and Baggett are great athlete’s, competitors and leaders; they will be sorely missed,” said the coach.

“They accounted for 60 points of offense last season,” the coach said, referring to when Rockland played a junior varsity schedule.

Abington has been of an offensive team this year, scoring 67 goals while allowing 103 while Rockland has been more defensive, yielding 89 goals while scoring only 20 because of its loss of attacker to injury.

You can always expect the unexpected when Rockland and Abington meet in any competition. They are fierce border rivals.

But there will be one certainty and that is one team will get their second win of the season.